New cop drama 'Golden Boy' premieres on CBS

From left, Theo James, Kevin Alejandro and Chi McBride in "Golden Boy." McBride's character acts as a calming mentor to James' hothead rookie.

GOLDEN BOY

10 p.m. Tuesday,

CBS

The CBS cop drama "Golden Boy" does not reinvent the police show, but it does give it some interesting tweaks that make this new prime-time entry significantly better than many broadcast-network series.

Airing in the "Vegas" time slot for two weeks — don't worry, "Vegas" fans, your show will be back with a new episode on March 19 — "Golden Boy" will migrate to 9 p.m. Friday on March 8, replacing "CSI: NY," which was scheduled to have its season (series?) finale last Friday.

For "Golden Boy," British actor Theo James (BBC America's "Bedlam") sheds all vestiges of his native accent to play New York cop Walter Clark Jr.

In Tuesday's pilot, viewers see Clark take out a robber and save his partner in a case that sets him on a course to become the youngest police commissioner of New York City seven years later.

"Golden Boy" flashes forward seven years into the future at the beginning and end of each episode to show the older Clark and how he's been influenced by his past, which plays out in the bulk of the episode that's set in the present-day.

It's a nice touch that gives "Golden Boy" a grander sense of scope even as the heart of the show is set in the police-procedural present familiar to executive producer Nicholas Wootton, a veteran of "NYPD Blue."

After Clark's heroics, police-department leaders offer him the posting of his choice. He wants to be a homicide detective and he's assigned to work with a veteran officer, Don Owen (Chi McBride, "Pushing Daisies"), who's only two years away from retirement.

Clark doesn't think this is good enough and tries to trade up, which doesn't go over well.

The "Golden Boy" pilot definitely makes Clark out to be an ambitious, potentially ruthless character. The show's second episode, though, more strongly suggests he's a well-meaning guy at his core.

Clark is observant and has smart instincts, but he's impulsive and careless. This brings him into conflict with Owen, who has the makings of a terrific teacher and guide if Clark can cool his hothead impulses.

"You got into this squad on your guts, but it's patience and maturity that will get you to belong," Owen tells Clark. "You've got neither. Learn 'em or get out, Junior."

It's these scenes between James and McBride that truly make "Golden Boy" shine. The pair have a terrific father-son, veteran-newcomer chemistry that deepens every scene they share.